Am really just starting to use anything other than automatic settings on my camera so be gentle please!!
Here is my query:
Have been asked as a favour to take a group shot of a class of 5 year olds. It will be a morning shot, taken outside. There will be 26 kids, a teacher and 2 education assistants.
My camera is a Nikon D70s and I have access to a tripod and remote as well as an external flash.
Which lens should I use-option one is 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 or option 2 is 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6?
Any tips on settings?
Any advice on composition?
What's the best wag to get the kids attention in order to take a few shots?
I've done this for my daughters daycare centre so the kids were a little younger 2-4 years old.
your choice of lens will depend on how close to the kids you can get. I'd go for the 18-105mm so you can make it wide angle and get them all in.
Will you be on auto settings? If not, I'd put it on Auto ISO and make sure you have a fast shutter speed to reduce blur (make 1/250 or quicker) and aperture about f7.1 or f6.3 incase there are several layers of people and you want everyone in focus.
Try and aim for the morning before everyone gets tired.
As for getting everyones attention at the same time (almost impossible).....I used a noisy/squeezy toy and just kept talking to them and making jokes, whilst pressing the shutter (remote shutter is great, but make sure they are looking at the camera and not you)
I took about 20 shots and had only one where everyone was looking that was correctly exposed!
Good luck. let me know if there is any other advice I can help you with, but i'm sure other people on this website will have better/other ideas
xxx
I've just done a kindergarten yearbook for my daughters kindy class, and I took a few group photos of their class to include. All of HEW's advice is great. If you do use a tripod you could always do an easy headswap if need be in photoshop. But you can't take too many photos so make sure you take loads. There is usually someone blinking or looking away in most of them! Find some open shade for the shot, and somewhere they wont be squinting. Also somewhere without distractions (and its best if you're on your own. If there is another parent standing nearby they often try to "help" but you'll get the kids looking at them rather than you). Take your time to pose them so you can see everyone clearly too. And just have fun with them! That age kids love to talk.
Oh and if you don't shot in RAW it is worth doing it for this if you have something to process it in. You can recover a lot more data if need be!! Good luck!
My grand daughter just had her school photos done. The photographer did the group shot by getting them in in groups of four, three, or two kids,
All white background, He had them stand as if they were talking, then stitched it all together, it is so effective, and much nicer than a normal group photo. Some had props, like a toy or a book. A ball on the floor. To keep their attention is difficult, but made easier by having smaller groups like this. Try asking them questions like what is their favourite ice-cream, do they like tigers? Things like that. Think like a five year old! and Good Luck,!
I was going to advise RAW as well for the shoot--helps later. Also, promise the kids a super silly shot at the end (these end up being better anyway!). They love it. I've been doing soccer team shots. Early is better. Tighter apertures. I use a lens that can go wide so I can get everyone in. Great advice above. Let us know how you do!!
Thanks you so much for the great advice- it was invaluable today. The 'shoot' went ok and got a few photos I could use but the main benefit has been the experience. As was said above it's not easy with a group like that!
Luckily for me a couple of kids were off sick but I said I'd do the photo anyway and come back and repeat it another day. Looking over my shots I can see clearly what I need to change the next time in terms of composition, positioning etc.
Next time I'll leave the crazy faces shots till last as a few kids continued with those when I was trying to do the proper photos.
I told the kids where to stand but next time I'll be more firm with the adults too!
And I liked the counting to 1,2,3 with eyes closed tip but next time I'll count, as clearly they all count at different speeds and I got lots of closed eyes!
Taking on these favours is me pushing myself and it's worth it but it's great to know that I can get such practical and helpful advice and support on here.
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your choice of lens will depend on how close to the kids you can get. I'd go for the 18-105mm so you can make it wide angle and get them all in.
Will you be on auto settings? If not, I'd put it on Auto ISO and make sure you have a fast shutter speed to reduce blur (make 1/250 or quicker) and aperture about f7.1 or f6.3 incase there are several layers of people and you want everyone in focus.
Try and aim for the morning before everyone gets tired.
As for getting everyones attention at the same time (almost impossible).....I used a noisy/squeezy toy and just kept talking to them and making jokes, whilst pressing the shutter (remote shutter is great, but make sure they are looking at the camera and not you)
I took about 20 shots and had only one where everyone was looking that was correctly exposed!
Good luck. let me know if there is any other advice I can help you with, but i'm sure other people on this website will have better/other ideas
xxx
Oh and if you don't shot in RAW it is worth doing it for this if you have something to process it in. You can recover a lot more data if need be!! Good luck!
All white background, He had them stand as if they were talking, then stitched it all together, it is so effective, and much nicer than a normal group photo. Some had props, like a toy or a book. A ball on the floor. To keep their attention is difficult, but made easier by having smaller groups like this. Try asking them questions like what is their favourite ice-cream, do they like tigers? Things like that. Think like a five year old! and Good Luck,!
Luckily for me a couple of kids were off sick but I said I'd do the photo anyway and come back and repeat it another day. Looking over my shots I can see clearly what I need to change the next time in terms of composition, positioning etc.
Next time I'll leave the crazy faces shots till last as a few kids continued with those when I was trying to do the proper photos.
I told the kids where to stand but next time I'll be more firm with the adults too!
And I liked the counting to 1,2,3 with eyes closed tip but next time I'll count, as clearly they all count at different speeds and I got lots of closed eyes!
Taking on these favours is me pushing myself and it's worth it but it's great to know that I can get such practical and helpful advice and support on here.